I bought this yesterday after careful research. Not to be confused with the Beretta A300 Outlander. The A300 Xtrema uses an Optima High Performance barrel and Optima HP chokes, and Beretta's Kick Off v2 system. Chambered in 3.5" 12 gauge. Max 4 camo. 28 inch barrel.
I chose this shotty as my Mossberg 930 is patently unreliable and requires an extraordinary amount of cleaning to cycle properly. The A400 Xtrema was waaaaay out of my price range. I have a shoulder injury that makes me particularly recoil sensitive. Limbsaver custom fit recoil pads have solved that problem on all my higher recoiling firearms including shotties.
So, initial impression was extreme quality. Everything is very high end. Chromed barrel, bolt, fit and finish is amazing. Disassembled to inspect (never know if CBSA decides to inspect and puts a critical part back in backwards....yes, it has happened to me...) and everything was clean and properly lubed. Extremely clean and properly lubed.
Cons:
Pros:
I started with CONS as I wanted to get them to the forefront for anyone thinking of buying this shottie.
I chose this shotty as my Mossberg 930 is patently unreliable and requires an extraordinary amount of cleaning to cycle properly. The A400 Xtrema was waaaaay out of my price range. I have a shoulder injury that makes me particularly recoil sensitive. Limbsaver custom fit recoil pads have solved that problem on all my higher recoiling firearms including shotties.
So, initial impression was extreme quality. Everything is very high end. Chromed barrel, bolt, fit and finish is amazing. Disassembled to inspect (never know if CBSA decides to inspect and puts a critical part back in backwards....yes, it has happened to me...) and everything was clean and properly lubed. Extremely clean and properly lubed.
Cons:
- The manual! It is very limited and condescending. Other than basic field stripping it refers you to a competent gunsmith. For example it doesn't explain how to pop open the magazine tube to clean and inspect. An incredibly simple process but not there. Removing the charging handle, again simple but made complicated by the manual.
- Important note, do not mess with the gas piston. Remove it, look at it, but don't try and take it apart. I have professional training on this type of mechanical device and I would not attempt to take it apart for fear of damaging it without the proper service documents.
- Does not have the magazine selector of the A400. Buddy with an A400 isn't even sure how to use it but it allows you to pull back the charging handle without cycling a round from the mag so that you can change out, say a 3 inch duck load for a 3.5 magnum goose just because a goose is flying by. I don't know about you but I don't have the luxury of changing shells when a goose appears in a duck flight, so again, not a deal killer.
- Doesn't have the Kickoff 3 system. Might not be a con, read pros below
Pros:
I started with CONS as I wanted to get them to the forefront for anyone thinking of buying this shottie.
- Pros are the price, at under $1250 you get incredible Beretta Italy quality. Chromed and stainless everything, virtually completely weatherproof, an important consideration for us waterfowlers. This is not the lower priced $700 A300 Outlander simply gussied up. This is in the same league as the A400 Xtrema without the price tag of now, over $2200.
- I shot this today with heavy field loads and it had no more felt/perceived recoil than my Limbsaver equipped firearms, (i.e. very comfortable) with one major bonus. The recoil with the Kick off 2 system is transmitted very well resulting in amazingly quick second or third shots. The front sight bounce is negligeable. Some users complain the Kickoff 3 on the A400, with it's split stock design, doesn't work for them as the gun seems to work independently of the shoulder. Others love it. Today on a pheasant flying away from me my second shot was almost a pistol like double tap.
- Adjustable drop and comb.
- Optima High Performance chokes
- Optima back bored high performance barrel
- Exceptional fit and finish
- aggressive checkering ensuring great grip in cold, wet conditions
- no vinyl/rubber inlays which can get torn on thorns and the like if used for upland bird
- Made in Italy with the readily apparent craftsmanship of the Beretta Italy plant
- Receiver top optic ready (great turkey gun)
- Extremely reliable
- Beretta's 1 year warranty with an additional 2 years by filling out the warranty card
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